The CB1100F returns!

Here's the 750.

Post edited by: loudhvx, at: 2008/01/24 14:26

Kawasaki already took this shot in the mid-90s by producing the bikes that most of you are talking about here. The market is just not here. We are here, but the facts are that this is "KZRider.com" and we are some biased dudes. For evidence, see my avatar.:whistle:

My thoughts: The ZR line didn't sell well in the US b/c they didn't offer a reasonable amount of power. The 1100 probably put 90 - 95 (honest) bHp to the ground at the rear wheel...and it was a heavy bike. I think they would have done much better with a bike that had more power (in the open-bore class) as the ZR1100 only stayed in the US for one year (1993). The 550 and 750 did better, but not enough for Kawasaki to justify the expense of marketing them over here. Hence the rest of the world gets beautiful ZRs and we don't.

It sucks...but I think that the ZR1100 needs power to go with it's looks. I'd be interested in a ZR1100 that looks exactly like my avatar as long as it made real power.

2 pennies rendered. :huh:

Wow, didn't know that. Here I was thinking that the ZR was an technologically updated KZ, with an attendant upgrade it power and handling and electronics.
I'll keep my KZ then.

All good points, Bad Kaw.
Still, I think that there is a market for a 70s style bike now. Wasn't a market in the early 90's. Seems like you have to market to the 50-yr-olds that want what they had (or couldn't have) when they were 19.
Every 10 years, the market changes. In the 80s, people were crazy for 50's cars - 57 Chevys. In the 90's it was the 60's cars - Mustangs and Corvettes. Now its the 70's Muscle cars (and bikes?). Don't know what people will want in 10 years - an '84 Tempo?

I don't so much mind the fact the retro motorcycles are less powerful than they could be. The things I look for in a motorcycle are styling, comfort, long life, somewhat easy maintenance and most of all usability. They all put the stupid-crap sloped seat with no padding on. I just love that-NOT. They all removed the centerstand as a part of the bike. It's worth it though to save that 2lbs??? They all removed any grab rails or any means to tie straps to carry anything with you. They all go to stupid wide 16" or 17" tires that are good for nothing other than costing 200% more. My buddies at the Kawasaki dealer where I've probably bought 15 new bikes over the years got in that new 1993 ZR1100 and I test rode it. Well 2 miles on this POS is well enough for me to know I aint going to buy. The Honda will probably have the same traits, but I hope it's decent. I'd be considering it. Right now only Kawasaki KLR650 and some of the new Triumphs are all that I would ever consider.
I had a dream a couple nights ago that I was talking to a Kawasaki rep and they found 50 new 1973 Z1s still in crates. That's my dream that will never come true, that they build a motorcycle again.

Post edited by: RonKZ650, at: 2008/01/24 15:41

Not to mention, no kick starter.

Thanks for the link to the prior discussion. I wasn't on the board then and missed it. I figured since it just showed up from Motorcycle Classics newsletter, that it must be recent news.

I have mixed thoughts about the CB1100F. I don't like the exhaust at all. The tank is a bit oddly styled, but it may be a seller. Time will tell, but I won't be in line for one.

Now, a new Zephyr 750, on the other hand, mmmmm....

The Suzuki Bandit 1250 is selling well, they dropped the 600 version. Cycle World tested one and loved it! But they called the styling "outdated"!! I really like it and the style suits me fine as opposed to all the new "transformer" models.

Hmmm...thanks for the links, guys. I wondered what rabbits were going to be pulled out of various hats at the Tokyo show....and now I know.
My .02....
The Honda will be overweight/underpowered and overpriced....like they usually are....although the R will probably have some more ponies....but the price will be brutally expensive for those extra ponies and the fancy paint job. I will NOT be lining up to plunk down my money for either of those.
The Zephyrs COULD have been what everyone wanted in a modern KZ, but for some reason the Big K decided not to give them the extra ponies. Otherwise from that, a fine looking bike that probably is a very pleasant ride.
My 2006 Bandit 1200 is MY choice of a retro bike with the venerable GSXR SACS air/oil cooled engine....although I could have been seduced by a bike we never got in North America...the ZRX1200S with the half fairing like the Bandit has.
Have you ever wondered how the marketing departments at these manufacturers make such decisions...
ouija board ?? dart board ?? coin toss ?? :blink: :laugh:

Hehe...

I am actually looking to buy a zrx.... the zrx400, in blue. Apparently there were some shipped to S Korea orrr maybe someone just paid the 30% import tax to bring it over from Japan.

Whatever the case,it will be a perfect bike for this next year.


Oh wait while trying to link out i found a zxr 750 also for sale in Seoul... Man i have to get up there...

H2RICK: I agree with your conclusions. Also, sounds like you got the last of the 'good ones'. My friend has an '06 1200 with the 'factory racing' paint scheme and he let me ride it...excellent bike. Congrats on yours, and I understand why you feel the way you do about it.

Bluemeanie: The new Bandit 1250 sounds like a decent bike. I believe that Suzuki did away with the 600, but the caveate is that they brought the 650 over ... correct? ... I know it was here last year ... not sure about now.

HardrOck68: ...cheater... :laugh:

The 50 Year Cycle...man, I sure hope so! It'd be cool if the Big 4 paid attention to that and brought back the kind of motorcycles that I like. I'm not 50 yet, but I sure do like late '70s - mid '80s style of rice-rockets.

2 more pennies in the coffer from me!

That thing is buttt ugly.. Looks like a cross between a bwm, a sportster and a v-max.. That r model next to it i liked much better..
I think theres a BIG market for the vintage bikes! Look at ebay, look at craigslist, look at us. EVERY vintage bike on ebay has a bid on it, and if you see something you like on craigslist and call it was sold 2 hours ago! Where are they all going? And why didnt the retro zephyr catch on?
What r we doing with em? Are we, the older crowd (im 36) trying to make em go as fast as the new ones? And if we are satisfied with the power these bikes have then was the zephyr that far behind the 70's and 80's kz's?
Is this more than enough power and speed for most people these days?
Are the younger guys buying them to learn how to ride before they buy the new superbikes?
Whats going to happen to the value of our bikes if they do put out new kz's,gs's, etc, and they do catch on?
And what would be needed to make our kz's as fast as the new ones?


:whistle: